The course focuses on the major historical moments and themes that characterize the relationship between art and technology in the 20th and 21st centuries, critically addressing some aspects. At the end of the course, students will be able to recognize the main artists and movements of the period in question and contextualize them historically; critically analyze the relationship between visual arts, media, and new media from the 1960s to today; identify the issues related to the uniqueness or replicability of the artwork in relation to the principle of scarcity that governs the art market, from photography to NFTs; understand the debate concerning immersive technologies and artificial intelligence in relation to contemporary art.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of art history up to the contemporary age.
Teaching Methods
The course utilizes lectures, workshops, and visits to museums/exhibitions/ateliers. For the delivery of lectures, PowerPoint presentations are used, made available to students in the dedicated section of the Moodle KIRO platform for the course.
Assessment Methods
The oral exam assesses and evaluates students' preparation on a scale of 0 to 30 considering the following elements. For all, the assessment will include in-depth study of the texts, including the images of the published artworks; the ability to express oneself adequately and with language appropriate to the subject matter. For attending students: the assessment of understanding of the content presented and discussed in class. For non-attending students: knowledge of the additional required content.
Texts
ATTENDING STUDENTS:
• D. Quaranta, Media, New Media, Postmedia (2010), postmedia books, Milano 2018 (new edition). Either the 2010 or 2018 edition is acceptable. • E. Modena, Immersioni. La realtà virtuale nelle mani degli artisti, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023 • S. Pirandello, Fantastiche presenze. Note su estetica, arte contemporanea e realtà aumentata, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023 • F. D’Isa, La rivoluzione algoritmica delle immagini. Arte e intelligenza artificiale, Luca Sossella Editore, Roma 2023.
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Non-attending students will study the same reference texts as attending students plus:
• D. Quaranta, Surfing con Satoshi: arte, blockchain e NFT, postmedia books, Milano 2021.
Erasmus students will agree on the syllabus with the instructor.
Contents
Art and Photography; The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction; Art and Video; Computer Art of the 1980s and 1990s; Net Art; Game Art; Hybrid Bodies and Post-human; Post-Internet Art; Immersive Technologies and Virtual Art; NFTs; Art and AI; New Media: Issues of Display and Preservation.
Each lesson will examine the main artists of the period in relation to the critical issues associated with the use of technologies, the art system, and the exhibition system. Attendance is highly recommended.
